Wendy McCarthy of Millbrook has her life back thanks to a new treatment for Parkinson’s disease that is giving her more personal freedom.

When Wendy, 67, received her diagnosis seven years ago, her doctors prescribed medications to control her symptoms. As the disease progressed, she required larger doses. Due to an unfortunate side effect of the medication, Wendy began experiencing involuntary movement, which made everyday tasks difficult and hindered her ability to travel, something she really enjoys.

Wendy’s care team at MidHudson Regional Hospital recognized she would be a great candidate for deep brain stimulation — surgically implanting electrodes in regions of the brain affected by Parkinson’s. Wendy was the first patient at Westchester Medical Center to have this procedure, which has greatly reduced her symptoms.

“The care I receive at Westchester Medical Center and MidHudson Regional Hospital is phenomenal. The staff at both hospitals work as a team and they have all my information in the system, which makes visits a lot easier. And the best part is I don’t have to go all the way to New York City.”

This treatment has allowed Wendy to continue to travel the world, with plans to visit her family in Greece this spring.

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Jeanine Geiser of Beacon and her husband Jason are grateful that healthcare professionals at Maria Fareri Children’s Services at MidHudson Regional Hospital immediately recognized that Chase, their eight-year-old son, needed advanced care. He was swiftly transferred to Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Valhalla.  

What appeared to be a simple cold was actually sinusitis so severe that the infection entered Chase’s brain and caused him to suffer a stroke. During his monthlong stay in the hospital, Chase underwent multiple surgeries, spending significant time in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.  

Thanks to the care he received at both hospitals, Chase returned home and continues to recover. His mom reports he is thriving.  

“I can’t say enough about the staff at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital,” said Jeanine. “The doctors were on top of everything from the second we came into the ER. From the security guards and nurses to the child life specialists, everyone was so sweet and checked not only on Chase, but our whole family every day.”

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